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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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The best gaming headset for the Xbox Series X

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 00:59

If you're serious about your Xbox — and what Xbox owner isn't? — there's an arsenal of stuff you need from a gaming session. A console, obviously — in this case, the Xbox Series X — plus a controller, gaming chair, and if you’re putting in a long shift, maybe some energy drinks, snacks, and comfy clothes. But there’s one thing missing from this list, one item that’s almost as crucial as the controller. That’s right: the gaming headset.

We assume that gamers understand the importance of a high-quality gaming headset. But just in case there is any doubt — or you need some persuasion to upgrade — we're happy to outline why a headset is almost certainly the most important accessory for your console.

It’s worth knowing about, because buying a new gaming headset isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. It’s something very personal. Some headsets will suit some gamers better than others. Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Do you need a gaming headset?

More than just protecting those around you from the racket of your campaign, gaming headsets allow you to fully immerse in your game. They block out background noise and produce an accurate, detailed, and powerful sound that puts you in the centre of the action. The promise of a more immersive experience is enough for most gamers, but there is another important reason for considering a gaming headset. Nowadays, a headset can be the difference between success and failure. Experienced gamers will know that being able to pick up on subtle sounds is absolutely vital at crunch time, especially with games like Call of Duty and Fortnite. If you can heat footsteps and gunshots with pinpoint accuracy, you'll have a serious advantage over the competition.

What are the most important features in a gaming headset?

There are a lot of options out there. This is a good thing, but it also complicates matters. How are you supposed to know which headset will suit you best? What are the best headset brands? What features will boost gaming experience and performance? Here are a few features to consider:

  • Comfort — Nothing ruins a gaming session like an uncomfortable headset, even if it produces incredible sound. If it's not comfortable, it's not worth considering. Before you jump in and buy yourself something that looks great, we recommend considering how the headset will fit on your head. Is it a tight fit? How much does it weigh? Does it have any cooling technology? Do you need memory foam ear pads?

  • Durability — The majority of gaming headsets are made from plastic, which can mean a flimsy and cheap feel. If you're not able to find something with a durable metal or wire frame, you should at least try and pick a headset that has a good range of movement. This will offset some of the pressure that comes with a plastic build. The very best gaming headsets will come with durable materials like leather that will provide long-lasting comfort.

  • Isolation — Some headsets and games make use of very slight directional audio cues, which is why the quality of a headset's seal heavily impacts the quality of the sound you receive. It is therefore important to consider how the foam of the headphone pad will mold to the shape of your head. If the seal isn't tight, you should either find something that fits better, or purchase replacement pads that fit better.

  • Microphone — If the headset comes with a built-in mic (and it should) check for noise-cancelling functions, a convenient mute function, and a boom. This improves voice clarity, minimise outside distractions, and ensure your privacy. It's easy to overlook the microphone but you really shouldn't, especially if you regularly play cooperative online games.

  • Noise Cancellation — This technology uses little microphones that detect incoming noise and produce anti-soundwaves to counteract it. That means you can focus on the audio that matters.

  • Style — There are more important things to consider, but style is essential to many gamers. Most of the best gaming headsets offer multiple colour options, or may have RGB lights that flash and dance along to the gameplay, and you can usually find something that works for you, your setup, and your vibe.

  • Surround sound — This means accurate omnidirectional hearing, giving you a heads up when enemies are close. The best gaming headsets are able to map sounds to virtual 3D locations where calibrated speakers can precisely position the sounds for a more realistic listening experience. If something or someone is sneaking up on you from the left, you’ll hear the sound from that direction.

Keep these features in mind when you're shopping around for your next headset.

What are the best gaming headset brands?

We recommend big brands such as SteelSeries, Razer, Turtle Beach and Logitech. These brands are tough to beat when it comes to advanced features. You can still find value with some of the lesser-known brands, but we wouldn't recommend straying too far. The biggest gaming brands are popular for a reason.

What is the best gaming headset for Xbox Series X?

That’s a question only you can answer because it really depends on the kind of gamer you are, but there is a perfect gaming headset out there for you. We’ve done some of the hard work by tracking down the best headsets for the Xbox Series X. Most of these devices also will work well with your PS5, PC, or mobile device.

These are the best Xbox Series X headsets in 2024.

The best keyboard for upgrading your PC gaming experience

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 00:58

Think of a home computer and you'll almost certainly picture a monitor and keyboard. The keyboard is the most basic of computer accessories. You simply can't have a PC without one. But that doesn't mean you have to settle for a basic keyboard.

To the untrained eye, a keyboard looks like, well, a keyboard. It's hard to tell a standard office-style keyboard from a high end esports model. But serious gamers know what sets the best keyboards apart. And not just RGB lighting. We're talking the kinds of features that will help you reach your peak gaming potential.

For those who aren't in the know, we've lined up this quick guide on gaming keyboards — not to mention a roundup of the very best models to consider.

Do you need a gaming keyboard?

If you're a casual gamer who only plays from time to time, you are probably going to be just fine with a standard keyboard. If you're a dedicated gamer who engages in competitive matches, or you put in serious campaign hours, a keyboard upgrade could make a big difference to your overall gaming experience.

Alongside your mouse, a keyboard is your number one gaming tool. So it pays to upgrade to something special. The best gaming keyboards are more responsive and react more quickly to give you an edge. When the difference between success and failure can come down to split seconds, high performance tech has an impact on your win rate.

What are the best features in a gaming keyboard?

These are the most important factors when it comes to picking a gaming keyboard:

  • Anti-ghosting — Anti-ghosting tech (the ability to capture simultaneous keystrokes without errors) has become a standard on gaming keyboards. All the keyboards listed below come equipped with some form of anti-ghosting tech. There are variations, however, in how many anti-ghosting keys can be used simultaneously. Some keyboards are more restrictive than others.

  • Backlighting — Gaming keyboards come equipped with either single colour backlighting, multi-colour RGB (Red, Green, Blue) backlighting, or no lighting at all. Some gaming keyboards even feature backlighting options that allow you to synchronise the lighting with the action on your screen. A truly immersive experience. 

  • Macro Keys — These are keys that perform a series of programmable commands in sequence. Essentially a handy shortcut depending on what game you're playing — a way to play more efficiently and economically. Keyboards come with dedicated macros keys, which you can assign command sequences to.

  • Switches — Keyboard switches (the bits that sit underneath each key) pick up what you put down. Most gaming keyboards come equipped with one of a variety of different options for mechanical or membrane switches. The switches register your keystroke, so you want them to function with speed and accuracy.

  • Type — Mechanical keyboards are sturdier, offer a more instant reaction, and tend to be the preferred option for gamers. Membrane keyboards are ideal for quieter performance and quicker movement across the keys. And optical keyboards respond faster and tend to last longer.

Additional features you should consider include ergonomics, hot-swappable keys, and design. The first step is to determine your gaming priorities, and whether they are specific to your favourite game or dictated by your budget. Then use this guide to pinpoint the perfect gaming keyboard to meet your unique gaming needs. 

What is the best gaming keyboard?

We've looked at all the key features — not to mention style, performance, and cost — to bring you a selection of your best keyboard options from top gaming brands like Razer and Corsair. We recommend that you check out everything in this list, and consider what will work best for you and your gaming world.

These are the best gaming keyboards in 2024.

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 26

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 22:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for March 26's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The elected head of a city or town.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1011 is...

MAYOR.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 26

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 21:00

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 26's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Devices that make sounds when played

  • Green: Raising plants

  • Blue: To nurture

  • Purple: Star shine

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Musical Instruments

  • Green: Plant Growths

  • Blue: Bring Up

  • Purple: Solar Emanations

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #289 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Musical Instruments: BASS, BASSOON, HARP, RECORDER

  • Plant Growths: BLOOM, BUD, SHOOT, SPROUT

  • Bring Up: FOSTER, NURSE, RAISE, REAR

  • Solar Emanations: CORONA, FLARE, LIGHT, RADIATION

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

OpenAI is pitching Sora to Hollywood. Creatives are fighting back.

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 17:03

OpenAI is ramping up plans for its AI video generator Sora — and that involves a charm offensive in Hollywood.

Details are still fuzzy, but we know the company is approaching filmmakers as well as studios. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and COO Brad Lightcap are having "introductory conversations" with industry stakeholders, according to Bloomberg.

Unspecified "big name" directors and actors already have access to Sora, the report says. That's part as an effort to "encourage filmmakers to integrate its new AI video generator into their work."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's GPT-5 release could be as early as this summer

Sora was unveiled in February — and though there hasn't been a public release yet, the announcement has raised concerns about the data that was used to train to model, and how it could impact the film industry.

As with ChatGPT, OpenAI hasn't been transparent about Sora's training data. But creatives already suspect Sora was trained by scraping art and videos without the knowledge or consent of their creators.

OpenAI is already facing several copyright infringement lawsuits including allegations of this practice with the large language models that power ChatGPT.

The use of AI video tools threatens to upend the film industry by replacing jobs that range from VFX professionals, to writers, and even to actors.

The recent strike by Hollywood writers' and actors' unions (WGA and SAG-AFTRA) strike sought contractual limits on the use of AI in writers' rooms. The unions also fought to create digital likenesses of actors that could be used in perpetuity without pay.

The WGA is voting soon on a tentative agreement that prevents AI content being used as source material for writers' rooms. SAG-AFTRA, in its contract with studios, won promises of compensation and credit for AI likenesses — but did not succeed in banning the practice altogether.

Already, images featuring generative AI have crept into films such as Late Night with the Devil.

'Artistwashing'

Meanwhile, OpenAI published a blog post full of "first impressions" from a select group of testers who are visual artists, filmmakers, and creative directors — which tells a different story.

The post features feedback from director Paul Trillo, production company shy kids, creative agency Native Foreign, artist August Kamp, creative director Josephine Miller, and AR/XR artist Don Allen Stevenson III. Unsurprisingly, the feedback published on OpenAI's blog was overwhelmingly positive.

Testers praised Sora's ability to create photorealistic videos from text prompts and without constraints. "Not restricted by time, money, other people’s permission, I can ideate and experiment in bold and exciting ways," said Trillo.

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But users on X were quick to point out OpenAI's controlled narrative. "Artistwashing: when you solicit positive comments about your generative AI model from a handful of creators, while training on people's work without permission/payment," wrote Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of ethical AI data sourcing non-profit Fairly Trained.

If OpenAI is gearing up to take on Hollywood, in other words, the company had better be prepared for cinematic drama.

Dyson's first robot vacuum in years is officially out — here are our initial thoughts

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 14:56

TL;DR: On March 12, Dyson released the 360 Vis Nav, its first robot vacuum entry in the U.S. since 2016. The 360 Vis Nav already (temporarily) sold out at Dyson's website, Amazon, and Best Buy despite its steep price tag of $1,199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson 360 Vis Nav $1,199.99 at Best Buy
Get notified about a restock Learn More

Dyson's new robot vacuum, the 360 Vis Nav, officially became available to purchase on March 12. The casual $1,199.99 asking price is more expensive than that of Dyson's most expensive cordless vacuum, but that didn't stop the 360 Vis Nav from selling out at Dyson's website, Amazon, and Best Buy within the first few weeks of being available.

So, what's all the commotion about the 360 Vis Nav?

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get?

Completing the trifecta of new Dyson vacuums that were first announced in September 2024, the 360 Vis Nav is the final and arguably most highly anticipated drop for several reasons. Being the only new release of the three that's not just another cordless vacuum, the 360 Vis Nav is inherently a standout. This is Dyson's first stab at the U.S. robot vacuum market since 2016, when the flop that was the Dyson 360 Eye came out.

The 360 Vis Nav's design is a complete overhaul of the eight-year-old 360 Eye (and it needed to be). Don't get us wrong, it still screams "Dyson" upon first glance: the full bright indigo exterior and exposed industrial dust bin would be anyone's first clue. Whether or not you'll want this maximalist monstrosity sitting out in the open in your home is up to you.

The 360 Vis Nav charges with the dust bin facing outward so everyone can see how dirty your floors were. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The 360 Vis Nav's heavy duty roller brush spans the entire length of the vacuum. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The 360 Vis Nav is D-shaped instead of round (a shape that iRobot tried once with the Roomba s9+, but has since given up on), with the vacuum's edges featuring a groundbreaking feature: an extending side duct that redirects suction power to the corner of the vacuum to suck debris hiding against the wall. This looks to solve the long-standing blind spot of round robot vacuums, which skirt as close to the wall as they can and hope that their flimsy side brushes happen to push a dust bunny into the cleaning path.

Cleaning gets even more detailed through heat map-like detection of areas with the highest amount of dust, where the 360 Vis Nav will automatically increase its suction power. It would have been cool if Dyson extended our beloved green laser capabilities to its robot vacuum, to give the humans in the house some visible proof of the 360 Vis Nav's suction — but any dust detection feature is appreciated nonetheless.

These suction-centric features, in tandem with Dyson's Hyperdymium motor that spins at up 110,000 RPM (faster than several mid-range cordless Dyson vacuums) create what Dyson says is double the suction power of any competing robot vacuum. (In Boost mode, at least — the 360 Vis Nav has four suction modes total).

SEE ALSO: Is the Dyson Supersonic still worth it?

Surprisingly, the 360 Vis Nav's advanced cleaning features end there. Though the 360 Vis Nav has smart mapping, Dyson didn't even bother to dabble with mopping, small obstacle detection, or self-emptying. As one of the most expensive robot vacuums on the market, skipping all of those integral premium features was... bold.

We're putting the 360 Vis Nav to the test as we speak, comparing its cleaning performance and navigational abilities to similarly-priced robot vacuums like the Roomba Combo j9+ and Narwal Freo X Ultra. Our official review is coming soon as we wait for a restock at Dyson's website, Amazon, and Best Buy. For now, there's no need for FOMO — we're not sure whether the 360 Vis Nav is worth its steep price tag yet.

Elon Musk and X lose lawsuit against anti-hate nonprofit

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 14:54

Elon Musk and his social media platform X just suffered an embarrassing defeat in court, where a judge pilloried the "free speech" company for attempting to silence a critic's speech.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer dismissed X's lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit group that tracks hate speech on social media.

Tweet may have been deleted

But, X's courtroom loss is just one layer here. The judge also made it clear that Musk and his "free speech" company had clearly targeted the CCDH in an effort to punish the group for their speech.

"Sometimes it is unclear what is driving a litigation, and only by reading between the lines of a complaint can one attempt to surmise a plaintiff’s true purpose," Judge Breyer wrote in his dismissal of the suit. "Other times, a complaint is so unabashedly and vociferously about one thing that there can be no mistaking that purpose. This case represents the latter circumstance. This case is about punishing the Defendants for their speech."

SEE ALSO: Apple, Google, and Meta are being investigated by the EU under new Big Tech regulation Musk & X vs. CCDH, Winner: CCDH

Last year, the CCDH published a few reports looking at the proliferation of hate speech on Elon Musk's X. 

But, after a report from the CCDH that detailed how little action X takes against paying X Premium subscribers when those users espouse hate speech, Musk and company went on the offensive. Musk's legal representative, Alex Spiro, sent a letter threatening legal action against the nonprofit, accusing the CCDH of trying to harm then-Twitter's business. The CCDH refused to back down and X filed its lawsuit shortly after.

Musk himself started going after the group on X, saying he would "pull the mask off this organization." In response to the CCDH calling out X's legal threats as acts of intimidation, Musk said "they should save their words for the jury."

However, there will be no jury trial, as Judge Breyer saw the lawsuit exactly as the CCDH claimed. 

In its lawsuit filed in July, X attempted to argue that the use of its data and the way it was obtained by the CCDH — through scraping — was at issue here. Furthermore, X claimed that the CCDH was trying to "scare" advertisers away and cost the company millions in ad revenue. 

The judge was not buying X's argument, though.

"It is impossible to read the complaint and not conclude that X Corp. is far more concerned about CCDH's speech than it is its data collection methods," Judge Breyer wrote.

"The Court notes, too, that X Corp.'s motivation in bringing this case is evident," he continued. "X Corp. has brought this case in order to punish CCDH for CCDH publications that criticized X Corp. — and perhaps in order to dissuade others who might wish to engage in such criticism."

Judge Breyer also pointed out that perhaps there would have been a case if CCDH's reports were defamatory, but X itself "has carefully avoided saying that they are."

The case was dismissed under anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law, which helps defendants quickly dismiss frivolous lawsuits intended to silence critique. One claim was dismissed for "failure to adequately allege a loss."

"Throughout Elon Musk's loud, hypocritical campaign of harassment, abuse, and lawfare designed to avoid taking responsibility for his own decisions, CCDH has remained quietly confident in the quality and integrity of our research and advocacy," Center for Countering Digital Hate CEO and founder Imran Ahmed said in a statement. "Our aim has always been to alert the world to corporate failures that undermine human rights and civil liberties."

X says they plan to appeal the decision:

Tweet may have been deleted

Score up to 50% off LG monitors and laptops during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 13:14

UP TP 50% OFF: Don't miss out! Get up to 50% off LG monitors and laptops during the final hours of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Our top picks: Best LG monitor deal LG UltraGear QHD 27-inch gaming monitor $209.99 at Amazon (save $68.01 ) Get Deal Best LG laptop deal LG Gram, 16-inch (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) laptop $695.99 at Amazon (save $204) Get Deal

It's easy to get a little distracted whenever the weather gets nice, but with the great deals available during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, now's the time to upgrade your monitor or laptop and stay productive.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals for March 2024: Apple's new M3 MacBook Air is already on sale

Right now, you can score up to 50% off LG monitors and laptops. But we're not sure how long this sale will last (we're in the final hours of the Amazon Big Spring Sale), so you might want to add some things to your cart before they disappear.

Here are our top LG monitor and laptop picks for the best combination of quality, affordability, and performance:

Best LG monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG UltraGear QHD 27-inch gaming monitor $209.99 at Amazon
$278.00 Save $68.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The LG UltraGear QHD 27-inch gaming monitor offers a stunning QHD resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for gamers and graphic designers. Sure, it's not the most visually appealing monitor out there, but with a one-millisecond (GtG) response time and excellent color accuracy, it's hard to beat for the price.

Best LG laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG Gram, 16-inch (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) laptop $695.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $204.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The LG Gram, 16-inch (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) laptop is a lightweight and portable option that doesn't sacrifice quality. With an 80-watt-hour battery and a durable build, this laptop is ideal for professionals, students, and artists on the go. The included LG Stylus Pen makes taking notes or sketching on the touchscreen display easy, while the HD IR webcam provides clear video for virtual meetings or creating vlog content.

More LG monitor and laptop deals:

Apple, Google, and Meta are being investigated by the EU under new Big Tech regulation

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:37

The EU is wasting absolutely no time in making sure Big Tech companies are complying with its new Digital Markets Act (DMA) law.

On Monday, the European Commission announced that it was opening non-compliance investigations into three companies defined as "gatekeepers" under the new regulations: Apple, Meta, and Google's parent company Alphabet.

SEE ALSO: 5 new iOS features you’re not getting because you’re outside the EU

"Today, the Commission has opened non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) into Alphabet's rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple's rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari and Meta's 'pay or consent model'," said the European Commission in a statement. "The Commission suspects that the measures put in place by these gatekeepers fall short of effective compliance of their obligations under the DMA."

Here's why the EU is investigating Meta, Apple, and Alphabet

The main purpose of the DMA is to force these "gatekeeper" companies to open up its core platforms in order to spur competition from third parties so the investigations are all into Apple, Alphabet, and Meta potentially failing to comply in those areas. However, the EU's investigation into these three companies is multi-pronged. 

Meta's "pay or consent"

The investigation into Facebook and Instagram's parent company, Meta, focuses on what's called the "pay or consent" model. Under the DMA, tech companies must get consent from users in the EU when they share user data between their core platforms. For example, Meta needs to get permission from a user to share their account data on Facebook in order to serve the user personalized ads via its advertising platform. 

Meta says that it complies with this by providing an option for EU users to subscribe to its paid subscription service on Facebook and Instagram, which provides the user with an entirely ad free experience. By not subscribing to this service, Meta argues that a user is consenting to their data being used.

"The Commission is concerned that the binary choice imposed by Meta's 'pay or consent' model may not provide a real alternative in case users do not consent, thereby not achieving the objective of preventing the accumulation of personal data by gatekeepers," the Commission says.

Alphabet's "self-preferencing"

This one is pretty straightforward and has long-been a concern among users. The Commission is investigating whether Google unfairly ranks its own products over third-party services. 

Examples provided by the EU Commission include Google "self-referencing" its Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels products over competitors searching for price comparisons or airline and hotel deals.

"The Commission is concerned that Alphabet's measures implemented to comply with the DMA may not ensure that third-party services featuring on Google's search results page are treated in a fair and non-discriminatory manner in comparison with Alphabet's own services," said the Commission in a statement.

There is one interesting note towards the end of the Commission's statement regarding self-preferencing and a fourth Big Tech company, ecommerce giant Amazon. The Commission said it is taking "investigatory" steps into looking at Amazon's own "self-preferencing" when it comes to its own brand of products and alleged unfair preferential placement for those items on Amazon's website.

Apple and user choice

Apple has received a lot of coverage for its policy changes over the past month and much of it was criticism from its peers for alleged "malicious compliance" with its fee structure changes related to the App Store and alternative iOS app distribution.

However, the Commission announced its looking into another aspect of iOS: user choice.

According to the Commission, it's investigating whether Apple has allowed users to uninstall any iOS apps, including Apple's own apps like Safari which currently cannot be removed from iPhone or iPad devices. The Commission will also look into whether Apple has made it easy to change default iOS settings. In addition, the investigation will include whether Apple has been providing adequate choice screens providing consumers with alternatives to the default web browser or search engine.

"The Commission is concerned that Apple's measures, including the design of the web browser choice screen, may be preventing users from truly exercising their choice of services within the Apple ecosystem," the Commission stated.

And, speaking of that controversial app fee structure, the EU Commission also announced that it started taking "investigatory" steps into whether these new Apple fees are contradictory to the DMA.

App store steering rules

The EU Commission is looking into both Apple and Alphabet for a possible DMA-compliance issue related to their respective mobile application stores.

App developers can sometimes pay hefty percentages of their revenue to Apple and Alphabet when a user makes a purchase or signs up for a subscription through their mobile app stores. Developers have sought to work around those fees by setting up cheaper alternatives for users to purchase from. However, both Apple's App Store and Google Play have greatly restricted developers' ability to "steer" users to those better offers as they seek to collect their fees.

Under the DMA, though, Apple and Google must allow developers to "steer" those users elsewhere. The EU Commission is going to investigate whether either company's rules impose "restrictions and limitations" that don't comply with regulation.

These investigations can take up to 12 months, according to the Commission. If the investigation discovers that a company did violate the DMA, the EU can impose a massive fine of 10 percent of the company's worldwide turnover. The fine can double for repeated infringement.

How to reset your AirPods

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:28

If your AirPods are acting up, a simple reset may be just what the earbud doctor ordered. The entire process should take less than five minutes.

Total Time
  • 5 min.
What You Need
  • AirPod buds
  • AirPod charging case
  • Charging cord (optional)

Step 1: Put AirPods back in their charging case.

Gather your AirPods and their charging case, making sure to remove any decorative elements that might obstruct access to the big button on the back of the case. Pop your AirPods into the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.

Step 2: Open your device Settings and see if the AirPods are "Connected."

Navigate to Settings on any Apple device that is paired with your AirPods. Go to Settings > Bluetooth. Search your list of connected devices for your AirPods (if they are not there, continue to the next step). Once you find your AirPods, tap the small blue "i" next to it, tap "Forget This Device," and then confirm your selection.

Step 3: Reconnect your AirPods.

Open the lid of your charging case. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light on the front of the case flashes orange, then white (about 15 seconds). With the lid still open, hold the charging case near your device. A screen should pop up on your device prompting you to "Connect" your AirPods. Follow the steps on screen to complete the process.

Score discounted Blink home security cameras during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:23

Spring is here, which means it's the season of home improvement projects. If you've been meaning to rig up a new outdoor home security system, now is the perfect time to invest in the right equipment. Here are the best Blink home security camera deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale blink home secuirty camera deals Best video doorbell deal Blink Video Doorbell $41.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal Best home security bundle deal Blink Whole Home Bundle $136.97 at Amazon (save $53) Get Deal Best floodlight camera deal Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $77.99 (save $51.99) Get Deal Best deal for large properties Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) 8 camera system $377.98 at Amazon (save $252.01) Get Deal

Whether you want to equip the whole backyard with cameras or you just want to keep an extra eye on the doorway and your front porch, you can find what you need in today's deals. Some products, like the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera, are at their new lowest prices. Today marks the last day of the Big Spring Sale, so you'll want to score these savings while you can.

Best video doorbell deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Our pick: Blink Video Doorbell $41.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While this isn't the lowest price we've ever seen the Blink Video Doorbell hit, today's sale does bring the two-way audio video doorbell camera down to under $50. If you're just starting to get into outdoor home security, the Blink Video Doorbell is a great place to start. It lets you check your door from your smartphone, no matter where you are, and works with Alexa to provide alerts and let you communicate with whoever's at the door. Whether you want to keep an extra eye on your packages or just be more in tune with the comings and goings of your household, the Blink Video Doorbell can help.

Best home security bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Our pick: Blink Whole Home Bundle $136.97 at Amazon
$189.97 Save $53.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're ready to go all in securing your home, check out the Blink Whole Home Bundle, which includes the Blink Video Doorbell, Outdoor 4, Mini, and Sync Module 2. Unified by the Blink App, these devices work together to provide you with video footage, motion detection, and person detection alerts. The bundle even comes with free 30-day access to the Blink Subscription Plan, which lets you save and share video clips in the cloud, and even get access to extended live footage.

Best floodlight camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Our pick: Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $77.99 at Amazon
$129.98 Save $51.99 Get Deal Why we like it

At 700 lumens, the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is powerfully bright, fully illuminating your property when motion is detected. With HD live view, infrared night vision, and real-time alerts, you see exactly what's going on when motion is detected so you can have your peace of mind intact. We also love this floodlight security camera because it has an extensive two-year battery and doesn't require wiring or drilling to set up. Plus, it's at its lowest-ever price!

Best deal for large properties Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Our pick: Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) 8 camera system $377.98 at Amazon
$629.99 Save $252.01 Get Deal Why we like it

While not everybody will need an extensive network of cameras, the Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) 8 camera system is a great value buy for those folks who do. Normally listed for over $600, the Big Spring Sale is taking the bundle's price down to $377.98, saving you over $250. It's a great option for keeping eyes on your kids and pets when they're out in the backyard, especially thanks to its two-way audio communication.

Zoom unveils all-in-one AI work platform for more than just video conferencing

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 11:43

Zoom is putting all of its AI tools in one place for the ultimate productivity super-platform.

On Monday, the video conferencing company announced Zoom Workplace, an "AI-powered collaborative platform," that houses its AI virtual assistant in addition to a bunch of new features designed to improve workflow within teams.

The video conferencing company, which became a mainstay in the era of remote and hybrid work environments, has been steadily building AI tools and features to automate tasks, summarize conversations, and draft messages for working within teams and their customers. Last March, during the flurry of generative AI product launches, Zoom released AI Companion, which acts as a personal assistant for taking notes and identifying to-dos during meetings.

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Zoom's practices came under scrutiny for the company's policy of using customer's data to train the technology. The issue of training data has been a controversial one, since the sophistication of generative AI tools relies on vast amounts of human-generated content, which is often obtained without prior consent or knowledge. Zoom quickly clarified its Terms of Service update by affirming it "never use[s] audio, video, or chat content for training our models without customer consent."

SEE ALSO: I spent a week using AI tools in my daily life. Here's how it went.

Zoom Workplace has recruited its existing AI Companion to do much of the heavy lifting for planning and summarizing meetings. The interface has an Ask AI Companion feature which helps workers prepare for upcoming meetings and recap ones that have occurred. It does this by gathering and synthesizing data from across Zoom's apps like Meetings, Mail, Team Chat, Notes, and Docs. This includes automatically scheduling and preparing for meetings based on Team Chat conversations. Zoom Workplace can also integrate data from enabled third-party apps, like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

Zoom Phone also got an AI upgrade so it can now provide post-call recaps and next steps, as well as prioritizing voicemails and pulling key information from voicemail and SMS messages.

The video conferencing capability, which Zoom is known for, also has some snazzy new upgrades like "AI portrait lighting" for low-light environments. Users can also now create their own backgrounds using generative AI, much like we've seen testing on the likes of Google Meet and Instagram.

The Zoom Workplace platform and its AI tools are of no additional cost to paying subscribers. Zoom Pro, which is the lowest tier of paid subscriptions and includes, Meetings, Mail and Calendar, and AI Companion access costs $15.99 per month or $13.33 annually.

Score up to 61% off Echo devices on the last day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 11:39

UP TO 61% OFF: As of March 25, you can score up to 61% off select Echo devices at Amazon. It's the last day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Our top picks: Best deal overall Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $34.99 at Amazon (save $27.29) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb bundle $99.99 at Amazon (save $62.99 ) Get Deal Best budget deal Our pick: Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle $22.99 at Amazon (save $36.99) Get Deal

There's no denying Amazon has some of the best deals on the internet. But today's the last day to score big during the Big Spring Sale, where you can save on everything from laptops to smartphones to kitchen appliances.

Amazon also has a ton of deals on Echo devices, with savings of up to 61%.

Here are our top picks:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $34.99 at Amazon
$62.98 Save $27.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb bundle is the best deal in this sale. Not only will you get an Echo Dot (5th Gen), which is a compact and versatile smart speaker, but you will also receive an Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb.

The Echo Dot (5th Gen) is said to be one of Amazon's best-selling Echo devices. It delivers crisp vocals and dynamic bass, making it perfect for streaming music or listening to podcasts.

The Smart Bulb can help you automate and control your lighting with just your voice, adding convenience and simplicity to your daily routine. Plus, with the Group Control function, you turn on multiple bulbs at once for a personalized and synchronized lighting experience.

Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb bundle $99.99 at Amazon
$162.98 Save $62.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb bundle is a great runner-up deal for anyone interested in hands-free video calling, streaming TV shows or movies, and controlling their smart home devices. Of course, you can listen to music on this device, too.

Unlike the Echo Dot, the Echo Show features an eight-inch touchscreen display, so you can do more. Call your friends, cook along with a recipe video, or watch your favorite shows or movies. And whenever you're not using it, you can turn it into a digital picture frame to showcase your favorite photos. With the Smart Bulb, this bundle is definitely worth considering.

Best budget deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle $22.99 at Amazon
$59.98 Save $36.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can't go wrong with the Echo Pop with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle. For just $22.99, you can get both!

This bundle is ideal for anyone who's never used an Echo device or is looking for a basic smart speaker experience. With the Echo Pop, you can access Alexa's voice controls and enjoy music, podcasts, weather updates, and more.

Instagram is limiting political content. Here's how to get around it.

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 11:27

Instagram users will be seeing a lot less political content on their feeds — if that's what they want.

The Meta-owned social media company announced that political content will be automatically limited from people's suggested posts in Explore, Reels, Feed Recommendations, and Suggested Users. This won't affect the content from accounts that someone follows.

Meta has been moving away from news-related and political content for a while now, with concerns about the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and extremism on platforms like Instagram.

SEE ALSO: Instagram just limited the political content you see. You can change that.

The change is complicated. Election season is coming for the world's largest democracies, and this appears to be Meta's way of limiting rampant misinformation. Instagram is defining political content as "likely to mention governments, elections, or social topics that affect a group of people and/or society at large." As Mashable's Christianna Silva reports, "Social media sites have been rife with misinformation and disinformation during past elections. It seems Meta's response to these egregious mistakes is to make political content rarer on its platforms."

But as critics have pointed out, social media giants are also crucial for providing information, keeping communities engaged, and for letting users know what is actually affecting people globally. Instagram has been flagged for shadowbanning vital information about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, for example, and people are now expressing concern that posts about issues affecting marginalized groups will be eclipsed on the platform. And, as several outlets have noted, the language around what Instagram defines as "political" is also vague, which means these limits have the potential to affect content about women's rights, climate change, race, and LGBTQ issues.

Featured Video For You How to hide likes on Instagram

For many, the absence of politically-inclined content is a privilege: not having to engage with issues the world is facing is a choice in itself, and not available to all.

The choice is up to users, and you can head to Instagram settings to make the decision for yourself. Many users have found that their content preferences have been automatically set to limiting political content, furthering the idea that Instagram is trying to distance its users from accessing such content. Here's how to work around it.

How to work around Instagram's political content limit Total Time
  • 2 minutes.
What You Need
  • Instagram app

Step 1: Click on the three bars at the top right of your profile.

Step 2: Scroll down or search for "content preferences".

Step 3: Click on "Political content".

Credit: Instagram

Step 4: Select "Don't limit": the option that makes sure political content is still recommended.

Credit: Instagram

X's new best friend is a GIF of a joint-smoking cartoon duck

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 11:14

X / Twitter users are getting all their ducks in a row, one duck to be specific.

In the past 48 hours, a GIF of a cartoon duck with half-lidded eyes holding a joint in its wing has become beloved on the platform. In the GIF, the duck chuckles to itself and shakes its head. Through repeated use, the clip came to mean something like, "exactly" or "isn't that true." As one user wrote, "is your entire timeline a duck smoking a blunt or do you have normal mutuals."

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According to Know Your Meme, the duck comes from a sticker pack made for WhatsApp by GIF artist LIVTORRESEC. The original joint-smoking duck had purple text reading, "HAHA CLASSIC" above it. A cropped version was reposted onto X in 2023, but it's only in the past couple of days that the duck caught on.

SEE ALSO: March Madness and Caitlin Clark have already given us some great memes

Users incessantly post it with resonant lyrics to popular songs or iconic lines from films. For example, someone captioned it with the lyrics to Phoebe Bridgers' 2017 hit "Motion Sickness" — "i hate you for what you did and i miss you like a little kid." Another used lines from Zedd's 2012 track "Clarity" — "if our love’s insanity why are you my clarity."

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The Hunger Games fans entered the chat and wrote, "how coriolanus felt after saying snow lands on top" and "haymitch in the audience after peeta said 'if it weren’t for the baby.""

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Other users likened the smoking duck to another X user favorite, the blunts and exposing the government girl — the duck was reposted to appear as such. One user posted a side-by-side GIF of the two captioned, "they’re smoking the idgaf blunt." Another created a fancam featuring the duck and the exposing the government girl soundtracked by "Smokin' Rollin'" by Juicy J.

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The smoking duck is so popular that users are digging into the GIF sticker pack and posting it doing other activities. In one, it sweeps. In another, it gives a thumbs up.

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It's only a matter of time before the timeline finds a new meme to play with.

Boeing's CEO will resign amid mountain of controversy and bad headlines

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 11:10

Things are going incredibly poorly for Boeing these days. The company's reputation is so bad people are going out of their way to not book flights on its planes.

It makes sense, then, that the CEO said Monday he would resign.

Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun wrote in a letter to employees that he plans to step down at the end of the year. The executive acknowledged mounting safety concerns, specifically citing the recent Alaska Airlines flight where an entire panel of the plane flew off mid-air.

"As you all know, the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident was a watershed moment for Boeing. We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company," Calhoun opened the letter.

He added: "The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years."

SEE ALSO: What's going on with Boeing planes? Safety concerns prompt flyers to change their flights.

There will be a slew of other changes with Boeing's leadership, Calhoun's letter noted, including a new board director and a new CEO of Boeing's commercial airlines division. Calhoun told CNBC that stepping down was "100 percent" his own idea.

It's difficult to list the myriad issues at Boeing recently, but the serious safety concerns began with the two 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. Ever since, there have been troubling reports on safety and quality procedures at the company.

Calhoun, a longtime Boeing board member, took over as CEO from Dennis Muilenburg in the wake of those accidents in 2020. It's unclear who will take the role with Calhoun stepping down. But what is clear is that they'll have their work cut out for them.

Apple might finally let you freely customize Home Screen icons on iPhone

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 09:36

Apple has always been stingy when it comes to Home Screen customization on the iPhone. Yes, you can move the icons and folders around, but that's about it; it's far from the level of customization you get on Android phones, or even that same iPhone's Lock Screen.

This is probably about to change. According to MacRumors, which cites sources familiar with the matter, Apple is planning a big Home Screen overhaul with iOS 18, which is likely to be unveiled during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18: 2 new rumored features coming to your iPhone

You won't get complete freedom; app and folder icons will remain locked to the invisible grid, just like they are now. But MacRumors claims that users will be able to arrange icons more freely, with the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently mentioned that Apple is planning to introduce a "more customizable" Lock Screen, too, though he didn't share any additional details.

Apple's iOS 18 is shaping up to be a massive release; reports say that Apple plans to introduce new generative artificial intelligence features, new Live Speech options, the ability to launch accessibility settings with your voice, RCS support for Messages, and design changes, among others.

'Game of Thrones' creators say ending response didn't change their approach to new show

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 08:49

Although one's fantasy and one's sci-fi, Game of Thrones and 3 Body Problem have plenty in common. Both shows are based on epic book series (George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past series, respectively), they both have large casts of characters, both have left us with plenty of burning questions, and they're both helmed by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (they've been joined by The Terror showrunner Alexander Woo for this new Netflix series).

In short, the comparisons are going to be inevitable. Plenty of people will likely tune into 3 Body Problem because they were fans of Game of Thrones. The elephant in the room, of course, is that although everyone loved Thrones, the reactions to the ending were a lot more mixed.

SEE ALSO: How should 'Game of Thrones' have ended?

So to what extent did those negative reactions influence how Benioff and Weiss approached this new show?

"I mean on the one hand it’s impossible to not hear that on some level," D.B. Weiss told Mashable in an interview with the 3 Body Problem showrunners. "We’re not particularly plugged in, by design we unplug from the hive mind reactions to things. But it doesn’t mean we didn’t know what that reaction was."

"You kind of need to practice letting go."

Weiss went on to explain, though, that every show is a new animal.

"There’s no way to do justice to the show that you’re working on, especially one on this scale, if your eyes are on the rearview mirror the whole time," he said. "You kind of need to practice letting go and focussing on the moment that you’re in, because the moment that you’re in is long – it took five years to make this show – and it just wouldn’t have served this show very well to be constantly seeing it through the lens of something else, if that makes any sense?

"I think that all your experiences affect you, and that was definitely an experience that affected us, but I also think that more importantly, we kept our eyes and attentions forward, and really wanted to push forward with the show that we were working on. All you can really do at the end of the day is tell the story you want to tell in the best way you know how, and then what happens is out of your hands at that point."

If you're here for 3 Body Problem, here's everything you need to know about the show.

Everything you need to know about Netflix's '3 Body Problem'

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 08:05

If you're like us and consumed by the mind-bending series that is Netflix's 3 Body Problem, you might have a few burning questions. Bringing author Liu Cixin's novels to the streaming screen, showrunners David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo have crafted a sci-fi epic worthy of your video meeting/watercooler chats.

In the first season of the series, there's a lot to take in, which is where we come in with our overtly obsessive nerdery and penchant for watching TV shows way too many times for tiny clues. Here's everything you need to know about 3 Body Problem, from how it differs from the book to the mathematical quandary at the series' core.

How to watch: 3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

The best mesh WiFi router for gamers

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 07:57

Any online gamer knows how crucial it is to have a reliable, robust WiFi connection. In gaming terms, it could be the difference between death or glory. In real-world terms, it could be the difference between non-stop buffering, getting kicked out of your game mid-session, and not throwing your controller across the room in frustration.

The answer could be a mesh WiFi system, which uses satellite routers (or nodes) to cover all areas of your home. It’s the kind of WiFi that serious gamers and heavy internet users benefit from, due to blanket coverage and high speeds.

But shopping for specialist tech is a minefield of mind-bending jargon and spec. If you’re not already an expert, it’s near impossible to know what it all means and which WiFi system is right for your gaming needs. To help, we’ve tried to break it all down as simply as possible with this quick-and-handy guide.

What is a mesh WiFi system?

WiFi mesh will deliver reliable WiFi throughout your entire home, eliminating dead spots in corners that other routers can't reach and maintaining speeds on multiple devices — all without slowing your gaming system.

It works using a main router and satellite nodes which are placed strategically around your living space to reduce spotty service. The nodes, which use the same SSID and password as the main router (unlike range extenders), help to cover areas in the home that the main router doesn’t reach on its own, like the basement or behind signal-dampening walls and obstructions. The best systems are easily expandable by adding more nodes where needed. 

How fast is mesh WiFi?

It will depend on the system you buy. Some are faster (and more expensive) than others. The systems featured below mostly range between 30,000 and 10,000Mbps. WiFi systems that use WiFi 6 will fun faster (around 10Gbps) and systems on WiFi 6E will run faster still. The real benefit is that multiple devices maintain high speeds because they’re connected via different nodes around the home.

What is low latency?

The most important factor when it comes to gaming is avoiding latency. This means the delay between sender and receiver — the time it takes for the action onscreen to happen after you’ve pressed the button on the controller. Even just a small amount of latency — the kind that isn't detectable when browsing the internet or streaming a video — can heavily impact gameplay. That’s why gamers want the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh available. Look out for systems that promise low latency.

What area can a mesh WiFi system cover?

Mesh WiFi systems will generally cover around 2,000 square feet, though some of the systems below will cover way beyond that — 6,000 or even 7,000 square feet. Bear in mind that coverage of that scale is likely way beyond what the average gamer needs — but it will suit an office or commercial space.

Dual-band vs tri-band — which is best?

​​This jargon can prove especially tricky for everyday web users. A band is a wireless broadcast frequency on which you can send or receive data. A dual-band router has two frequency channels — 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is meant for further distances, at a slower speed, while 5GHz is faster but has a shorter range. A tri-band router adds an extra 5GHz band, which allows all devices in the household to share the bandwidth evenly. In truth, tri-band is likely surplus for the average household.

What is WiFi 6?

In simple terms, WiFi 6 is the most recent, up-to-date version of WiFi tech. For average users, the differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 — still widely in use — are marginal. But it’s actually a pretty major upgrade. The most serious gamers and tech heads will appreciate faster speeds, lower latency, and all-round stronger connections. WiFi 6E is yet another upgrade, which uses a 6GHz frequency, though there are fewer devices that support it. There's also a smattering of futuristic WiFi 7 devices on the market.

What are the best mesh WiFi systems?

We're so glad you asked. And rest assured, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. We've checked out everything on offer from the biggest and best brands, and lined up a selection of the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh routers for gamers.

These are the best mesh WiFi routers for gamers in 2024.

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